RESOLUTION REGARDING CONGRESSIONAL ACTION FOR POLITICAL
SELF-DETERMINATION FOR PUERTO RICO

Whereas, the people of Puerto Rico, as natural-born citizens
of the United States, possess the same individual liberties as
do all other American citizens, including the right to protect
and nurture their local culture and linguistic heritage and the
right to conduct their affairs in accordance with a local constitution
compatible with and subordinate to the U.S. Constitution;

Whereas, most Governors represent constituencies that include
American citizens of Puerto Rican descent;

Whereas, tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans have served our
nation with distinction in every U.S. military conflict of this
century, earning numerous decorations, including four posthumous
medals of honor, and rising in several instances to the ranks
of general and admiral;

Whereas, without admission to the Union, the residents of Puerto
Rico have sustained many combat casualties defending U.S. interests
in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf;

Whereas, athletes, scholars, artists, entrepreneurs, professionals,
and laborers of Puerto Rican origin have been contributing throughout
this century to the spiritual and socioeconomic enrichment of
the United States;

Whereas, it is essential that the final, permanent political
status of Puerto Rico be democratically selected by the American
citizens who reside there;

Whereas the Southern Governors' Association recognizes and
endorse the right of the people of Puerto Rico to freely exercise
political self-determination by majority vote on options ranging
from U.S. statehood to sovereign independence;

Whereas, an absolute majority of Puerto Rico's voters supported
a platform seeking congressional sponsorship of a political status
plebiscite for Puerto Rico;

Whereas, the responsibility for making "all needful rules
and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging
to the United States" is vested in the U.S. Congress by Article
IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution;

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, in harmony with its long-standing acknowledgement
of the importance of self-determination by the people of Puerto
Rico as to the status of Puerto Rico, the Southern Governors'
Association urges the 106th Congress to enact legislation
that will, no later than the year 2000, provide a mechanism for
political self-determination by the American citizens who reside
in Puerto Rico.